LauderBlog
Aug 29: Riding a Classic
Posted On: August 29, 2008 9:19 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
For someone who claims to genuinely love Fort Lauderdale, I should be a bit red-faced about this one. And, well, I am. I’ve lived here for more than 19 years, I’ve enjoyed many “staycations” on the beach, I’ve tried to get around a lot and really do this area – and I keep trying as the new replaces the old. But there is one Fort Lauderdale classic that I had never experienced in all my time here. Until recently. The Jungle Queen has been sliding up and down the New River for a long, long while. Like, some 65 years or so. Everyone I know who rides this boat tells me they have a wonderful time. I was always skeptical. But you know what? I gave it a go during my most recent beach vacation a couple weeks ago and I did indeed have a wonderful time. So did my girlfriend, who has lived here just as long as I have.
If you haven’t taken the Jungle Queen, you really should. Yep, it’s old and creaky. That’s part of its charm. We hopped on in the middle of a scorching afternoon but the breeze on the covered second deck soon was drying some of that perspiration. This was in the dead of August, remember, and the boat still was filling up with a decent crowd. I was pleasantly surprised.
Both Gwendolyn and I had been on water taxis and other boats many times along the New River. But we’d never gone as far on the river as we did this day. For us, that was the best part. We discovered entire neighborhoods full of very Florida-style houses with outside tiki bars all over the place. The Jungle Queen winds its way so far that you actually pass under I-95 before landing at the Jungle Queen Indian Village, as it’s called. Quite a hoot, this place. There’s some alligator wrestling, which was better than any I’d seen in the past. There were animals and birds and plants. There was a pleasant little picnic area with a food stand. We didn’t go for their dinner cruise, obviously, but many do and seem to enjoy the meal and show. Ours was the daytime three-hour cruise and for us this was just right. We got back smiling about the whole thing, both saying we were glad to have done the Jungle Queen at last. All those friends who’d taken this boat were right, as it turned out. Who knew?
If you haven’t taken the Jungle Queen, you really should. Yep, it’s old and creaky. That’s part of its charm. We hopped on in the middle of a scorching afternoon but the breeze on the covered second deck soon was drying some of that perspiration. This was in the dead of August, remember, and the boat still was filling up with a decent crowd. I was pleasantly surprised.
Both Gwendolyn and I had been on water taxis and other boats many times along the New River. But we’d never gone as far on the river as we did this day. For us, that was the best part. We discovered entire neighborhoods full of very Florida-style houses with outside tiki bars all over the place. The Jungle Queen winds its way so far that you actually pass under I-95 before landing at the Jungle Queen Indian Village, as it’s called. Quite a hoot, this place. There’s some alligator wrestling, which was better than any I’d seen in the past. There were animals and birds and plants. There was a pleasant little picnic area with a food stand. We didn’t go for their dinner cruise, obviously, but many do and seem to enjoy the meal and show. Ours was the daytime three-hour cruise and for us this was just right. We got back smiling about the whole thing, both saying we were glad to have done the Jungle Queen at last. All those friends who’d taken this boat were right, as it turned out. Who knew?
RSSAug 25: Moments of Quiet and Rejuvenation
Posted On: August 25, 2008 4:35 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale has two faces, much like the masks of comedy and drama. They offer contrasting but equally pleasurable expressions.
For example, people who stop over for a few days before or after a cruise, who come down for a family reunion or business, or who book a change-of-pace vacation often turn into frenzied jugglers as they get caught up in the flurry of activities. The mission is fun.
The ideas bounce around something like this: How many hours at the beach can we slip in between conference sessions? Why not try para-sailing and jet skiing? Scuba lessons – sure, but what about one of those historic or nature tours, too? We also have golf in the morning and shopping, which can take all day. And then there are those new restaurants we heard about. And, we have to make time for that concert or nightclub, even if it ends up keeping us out most of the night.
The area has another pleasure as well, however, where the face of calm offers respite from the hectic pace.
Moments of quiet and rejuvenation overlooking the ocean can be as welcome as the breeze after an afternoon rain. A leisurely hour or two at one of the many spas in resorts that dot the county can make the schedules pause, and time stand still for awhile, for the traveler who needs some recharging before setting out again.
Throughout the month of September, pampering will be a priority as the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau kicks off the first annual Lauderdale Spa Chic program, presented by American Express. With savings of up to 50% on spa treatments and one-night deluxe accommodations, visitors can choose to refresh and renew in a dozen participating area resorts, including the world-class Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale, as well as the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa and the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.
The mission of Spa Chic is relaxation, in dramatic luxury, but that facet of Greater Fort Lauderdale can be fun, too.
By Kitty Oliver
For example, people who stop over for a few days before or after a cruise, who come down for a family reunion or business, or who book a change-of-pace vacation often turn into frenzied jugglers as they get caught up in the flurry of activities. The mission is fun.
The ideas bounce around something like this: How many hours at the beach can we slip in between conference sessions? Why not try para-sailing and jet skiing? Scuba lessons – sure, but what about one of those historic or nature tours, too? We also have golf in the morning and shopping, which can take all day. And then there are those new restaurants we heard about. And, we have to make time for that concert or nightclub, even if it ends up keeping us out most of the night.
The area has another pleasure as well, however, where the face of calm offers respite from the hectic pace.
Moments of quiet and rejuvenation overlooking the ocean can be as welcome as the breeze after an afternoon rain. A leisurely hour or two at one of the many spas in resorts that dot the county can make the schedules pause, and time stand still for awhile, for the traveler who needs some recharging before setting out again.
Throughout the month of September, pampering will be a priority as the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau kicks off the first annual Lauderdale Spa Chic program, presented by American Express. With savings of up to 50% on spa treatments and one-night deluxe accommodations, visitors can choose to refresh and renew in a dozen participating area resorts, including the world-class Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale, as well as the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa and the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.
The mission of Spa Chic is relaxation, in dramatic luxury, but that facet of Greater Fort Lauderdale can be fun, too.
By Kitty Oliver
Aug 25: Sunshine in the Park
Posted On: August 25, 2008 4:19 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Finally, things are getting back to normal around here. As you no doubt know, Florida went through a very wet period lately. Even sunny South Florida endured an unusual stretch of inclement weather. But that changed a couple of days ago. Right now, I’m looking out my office window at puffy clouds and lots of blue sky. It was the same on both Saturday and Sunday. So I decided the weekend would be a delightful time to meet a good friend in the park, just to sit and visit together. After an energetic workout in the gym on Saturday morning, I picked up a fast-food milkshake to put something in my body, then headed over to my favorite small Fort Lauderdale park. Colee Hammock sits on a pleasant bend of the New River where boats, large and small, often pass by. At about 1 p.m., I pulled into a parking space there and saw my friend, Gabriela, waiting on a bench.
We were half in the shade of the many tall trees, half in the early afternoon sunlight. Gabriela had never been to this park before and seemed to like it as much as I do. “This is a great spot,” she told me. “It’s so beautiful here by the river!” She’s right. It is.
We looked out at the mansions on the opposite shore and I explained about the Huizenga house sitting directly across, with the carillon that plays tunes in the evening. A huge yacht floated by – or rather, it was both pushed and pulled past us. Apparently suffering mechanical troubles, this vessel was being towed by one tug boat in front and propelled by another tug from behind. A few folks were scattered around on the benches or spread out on blankets on the thick grass, doing just what Gabriela and I were doing. Nothing. Well, that’s not quite true in our case. As usual with us, we were enjoying a great discussion about some fairly weighty issues. We talked about the search for purpose in human life and a range of related topics that I won’t bore you with here. They each floated into and out of our conversation, just as the boats floated into and out of our view. For nearly two hours, we sat on that park bench soaking up the ideas and the friendship along with the intense sunshine. It was a lovely time and I came away smiling. And slightly sunburned – a reminder to get the sunscreen out again now. Down here, the sun never goes away for long.
We were half in the shade of the many tall trees, half in the early afternoon sunlight. Gabriela had never been to this park before and seemed to like it as much as I do. “This is a great spot,” she told me. “It’s so beautiful here by the river!” She’s right. It is.
We looked out at the mansions on the opposite shore and I explained about the Huizenga house sitting directly across, with the carillon that plays tunes in the evening. A huge yacht floated by – or rather, it was both pushed and pulled past us. Apparently suffering mechanical troubles, this vessel was being towed by one tug boat in front and propelled by another tug from behind. A few folks were scattered around on the benches or spread out on blankets on the thick grass, doing just what Gabriela and I were doing. Nothing. Well, that’s not quite true in our case. As usual with us, we were enjoying a great discussion about some fairly weighty issues. We talked about the search for purpose in human life and a range of related topics that I won’t bore you with here. They each floated into and out of our conversation, just as the boats floated into and out of our view. For nearly two hours, we sat on that park bench soaking up the ideas and the friendship along with the intense sunshine. It was a lovely time and I came away smiling. And slightly sunburned – a reminder to get the sunscreen out again now. Down here, the sun never goes away for long.
Aug 21: Some Suite Moments
Posted On: August 21, 2008 2:06 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
So there I was at the new Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. As you may recall from the last blog, my overnight stay there with Gwendolyn finished up our one week close-to-home vacation. And a terrific week it was too. But the Ritz made for a first-class finale in a gorgeous oceanside suite. Though it was just several days ago, some moments already stand out in my memory. There was our drink in the wine bar. At the hour when civilized people enjoy a cocktail, we got as dressed up as we’d been all week and headed down to the lobby. The main bar was temporarily closed for a law firm’s private reception, but we were happy to enjoy the wine bar for our drinks. It’s an intimate, rich environment with a pleasant open view of the lobby. She had a Cosmo, I ordered a Belvedere martini, extra dry, straight up with olives, thank you.
Our bartender was attentive and very friendly, returning with two silver cocktail shakers that held generous drinks. As we sat there, nibbling from an appetizer tray, I could feel myself relaxing and sinking into the Ritz luxury. We sipped and laughed and munched and were in absolutely no hurry to do anything else. It was delightful.
Then at night, we took a dip in the beautiful 7th floor pool and hot tubs. Well, actually we just dipped ourselves in one hot tub, though there were two. When we arrived, only a couple of other people were in the pool. Soon we were alone, with the lights of A1A strung out below us and the gently illuminated Ritz gardens arrayed all around. The moon was clear and nearly full as we slipped through the water. What could be more romantic than a private moment like this beside the sea in an ultra-luxury hotel? Oh, and then there was that alarm clock I mentioned in my last blog. I can’t leave that out. Actually, it’s a bedside console. I’ve experienced some fairly cool room control units in my international travels but this one takes the cake. In fact, for all I know this thing can literally bake cakes. It’s a flat-screen gizmo that allows you to control nearly every light throughout the large suite, adjust the suite temperature, find the time anywhere in the world, order room service, set a wake-up call, ring for a butler and more. And it’s all digital. And it’s a speakerphone so, yes, you really do talk to your alarm clock. Touch a corner of the screen and a voice suddenly materializes. “Yes, Mr. Knotts, how can I help you?” I want one of these at home. Or better yet, can I just live at the Ritz, please? I promise to eat very small meals and drink just one Belvedere martini a day.
Our bartender was attentive and very friendly, returning with two silver cocktail shakers that held generous drinks. As we sat there, nibbling from an appetizer tray, I could feel myself relaxing and sinking into the Ritz luxury. We sipped and laughed and munched and were in absolutely no hurry to do anything else. It was delightful.
Then at night, we took a dip in the beautiful 7th floor pool and hot tubs. Well, actually we just dipped ourselves in one hot tub, though there were two. When we arrived, only a couple of other people were in the pool. Soon we were alone, with the lights of A1A strung out below us and the gently illuminated Ritz gardens arrayed all around. The moon was clear and nearly full as we slipped through the water. What could be more romantic than a private moment like this beside the sea in an ultra-luxury hotel? Oh, and then there was that alarm clock I mentioned in my last blog. I can’t leave that out. Actually, it’s a bedside console. I’ve experienced some fairly cool room control units in my international travels but this one takes the cake. In fact, for all I know this thing can literally bake cakes. It’s a flat-screen gizmo that allows you to control nearly every light throughout the large suite, adjust the suite temperature, find the time anywhere in the world, order room service, set a wake-up call, ring for a butler and more. And it’s all digital. And it’s a speakerphone so, yes, you really do talk to your alarm clock. Touch a corner of the screen and a voice suddenly materializes. “Yes, Mr. Knotts, how can I help you?” I want one of these at home. Or better yet, can I just live at the Ritz, please? I promise to eat very small meals and drink just one Belvedere martini a day.
Aug 18: The Suite Life
Posted On: August 18, 2008 11:22 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Somehow the world looks different from a Ritz-Carlton. Last Friday was my chance to experience this more starkly than I ever had before. You might recall that I had been enjoying a weeklong “staycation” with my girlfriend at a lovely beachside hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Until our last day, Friday, when we packed up and swung over to the nearby Ritz. It was funny, really. I tossed our suitcases into the back seat of my PT Cruiser convertible, then pulled out of the hotel parking lot, turned two corners and rolled in at the new Ritz-Carlton. This grand journey took a total of less than one minute, literally. On arrival, the customary Ritz service was quickly obvious. Opening car doors, opening hotel doors, escorting us to the reception desk and basically taking care of whatever needed to be taken care of. Always punctuated by that famous Ritz mantra, “My pleasure.”
When we got to our suite my first word was, “Wow.” It was gorgeous, with a large living room, huge bedroom, two bathrooms, two flat-screen televisions and a balcony that was maybe 30-feet long. That balcony overlooked the lovely 7th floor swimming pool – and the Atlantic Ocean. The suite was impeccably tasteful, as usual in Ritz-Carlton hotels. All pastel yellow and beige and white. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave the room.
As I said, our previous hotel was wonderful. We did the whole beachy thing there, flip-flopping our way through most of the week like the other folks strolling A1A. Once we got to the Ritz, though, that changed. It truly seemed as if we had stepped into some elegant world that had been hidden to us earlier in our seaside stay. From the polished marble floors and columns to the spectacular lobby bar, from the understated flower arrangements to the manicured lawn and gardens around the pool. Everywhere and anywhere on the property, you knew you were vacationing in a world-class hotel. Still, there’s nothing stuffy about this Ritz-Carlton. Some guests indeed were walking around in flip-flops. But Gwendolyn and I weren’t among them. This seemed a good time to take my nice slacks off the hangar and put on some socks and dress shoes. Later this week, I’ll tell you about a few of our interesting experiences during this brief stay at Broward’s new Ritz-Carlton. Including my conversations with the most amazing alarm clock I’ve ever seen. Or talked to.
When we got to our suite my first word was, “Wow.” It was gorgeous, with a large living room, huge bedroom, two bathrooms, two flat-screen televisions and a balcony that was maybe 30-feet long. That balcony overlooked the lovely 7th floor swimming pool – and the Atlantic Ocean. The suite was impeccably tasteful, as usual in Ritz-Carlton hotels. All pastel yellow and beige and white. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave the room.
As I said, our previous hotel was wonderful. We did the whole beachy thing there, flip-flopping our way through most of the week like the other folks strolling A1A. Once we got to the Ritz, though, that changed. It truly seemed as if we had stepped into some elegant world that had been hidden to us earlier in our seaside stay. From the polished marble floors and columns to the spectacular lobby bar, from the understated flower arrangements to the manicured lawn and gardens around the pool. Everywhere and anywhere on the property, you knew you were vacationing in a world-class hotel. Still, there’s nothing stuffy about this Ritz-Carlton. Some guests indeed were walking around in flip-flops. But Gwendolyn and I weren’t among them. This seemed a good time to take my nice slacks off the hangar and put on some socks and dress shoes. Later this week, I’ll tell you about a few of our interesting experiences during this brief stay at Broward’s new Ritz-Carlton. Including my conversations with the most amazing alarm clock I’ve ever seen. Or talked to.
Aug 14: Best for Last
Posted On: August 14, 2008 11:05 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
This has been a delightful week away from the usual routine. Yes, I’m at my desk for several more hours of work, home at my condo now. But it’s no big deal. Because in the back of my mind, I know I’ll return with my girlfriend to our beachfront hotel room by mid-afternoon or so, probably heading off for a margarita somewhere. The past two days we’ve bellied up to a seaside table at Lulu’s Bait Shack, which is very near the Marriott where we’re staying. Lulu’s is a funky, fun, beachy place and they make very tasty margaritas at an equally tasty price. Add some salsa and chips and – mmmm, you know you’re vacationing on the Fort Lauderdale beach.
Last night, we took another swim in the hotel pool followed by a totally relaxing hot tub. I feel like Gumby when I come out of a hot tub, especially after a couple drinks. Very pliable, very relaxed. At least I assume Gumby is very relaxed. He always appears that way to me.
At one point, I was looking out at the dark ocean from my seat in the hot tub, a pleasant jet of water streaming against my back. The moon was rising, just as pale and hazy as earlier in the week but fuller now of course. And I thought, “This is really so beautiful. The palm trees and the sea and the humid summer air – I could be anywhere. At a gorgeous resort in Greece or Italy or even Asia or the Middle East or the South Pacific. Who needs to go far from home to experience a getaway when you live in South Florida?” And the best thing is that the best is yet to come. And I do mean best. On Friday, we’ll get the chance to spend the last night of our “staycation” at the brand new Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. As luck would have it, this hotel is, like, 200 yards from the hotel we’re in now. So we’ll pack our bags and move on up and really finish with a bang. I’ll tell you about our Ritz experience next week. But I already pretty much know what to expect. After staying in great luxury hotels around the world as a travel writer, I’ve learned that the Ritz is among the top properties anywhere. It’s an opportunity to get out of our beach clothes, dress up a bit and enjoy a real cocktail at the beautiful Ritz bar. Let’s just say that on Friday afternoon we probably won’t be going to Lulu’s for a margarita.
Last night, we took another swim in the hotel pool followed by a totally relaxing hot tub. I feel like Gumby when I come out of a hot tub, especially after a couple drinks. Very pliable, very relaxed. At least I assume Gumby is very relaxed. He always appears that way to me.
At one point, I was looking out at the dark ocean from my seat in the hot tub, a pleasant jet of water streaming against my back. The moon was rising, just as pale and hazy as earlier in the week but fuller now of course. And I thought, “This is really so beautiful. The palm trees and the sea and the humid summer air – I could be anywhere. At a gorgeous resort in Greece or Italy or even Asia or the Middle East or the South Pacific. Who needs to go far from home to experience a getaway when you live in South Florida?” And the best thing is that the best is yet to come. And I do mean best. On Friday, we’ll get the chance to spend the last night of our “staycation” at the brand new Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. As luck would have it, this hotel is, like, 200 yards from the hotel we’re in now. So we’ll pack our bags and move on up and really finish with a bang. I’ll tell you about our Ritz experience next week. But I already pretty much know what to expect. After staying in great luxury hotels around the world as a travel writer, I’ve learned that the Ritz is among the top properties anywhere. It’s an opportunity to get out of our beach clothes, dress up a bit and enjoy a real cocktail at the beautiful Ritz bar. Let’s just say that on Friday afternoon we probably won’t be going to Lulu’s for a margarita.
Aug 12: Green Skies and Riverboats
Posted On: August 12, 2008 11:11 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
It’s been a delightful few days so far on my stay-near-home vacation. I’m back at my condo for just a few hours of work today but plan to regroup with Gwendolyn on the Fort Lauderdale beach early this afternoon. We checked in to the Marriott Beach Place on Saturday. This is a nice hotel, wonderfully located in the central beach area. We can walk to just about everything. We were lucky enough to get a lovely seaview room that was just refurbished. The bellman told us we’re the first guests in it since the work was completed. That evening, we discovered that there’s a new restaurant a few steps south of our hotel and so we tried it for dinner. It’s called the H2O Café and it is terrific! I’m going to save the details for a later blog – it was that good.
Since then, we’ve enjoyed cocktails and appetizers on our balcony overlooking the ocean. We had an excellent breakfast on the beach, just as I’d envisioned a few days ago in the previous blog. We went back to H2O for late night drinks. Hmmm… Seems to be a lot of drinking and eating going on. Of course, we’ve been walking quite a bit too so I don’t feel very bad about indulging more than usual. At least that’s my rationalization.
But really, we have been doing more than just looking for the next thing to put in our mouths. Like, for instance, we took a trip on the Jungle Queen. This was something I’d been wanting to do since forever and finally we found a good time. It really was fun and, once again, this deserves a later blog all to itself. But for now suffice it to say that, although I’ve lived here for 19 years, this modern day riverboat took me to areas of Fort Lauderdale I didn’t know existed. Gwendolyn and I also went for a lovely night swim on Monday evening, with a pale half moon encircled by a summery haze above us and a tranquil Atlantic just off to our east. That’s how it’s been up to now – one pleasant experience after another, all of them sort of blending together to make for a relaxing and entertaining “staycation.” We even saw a green sky, something I can’t recall noticing before. At about sunset, a distinctly green swath of clouds was mixed among a beautiful mosaic of colors and tones, from dark gray to pale rose. This was a pastel green that subtly sliced along a broad stretch of the horizon. We both thought it was remarkable. And the best part is, we still have four more sunsets to savor before our vacation is over.
Since then, we’ve enjoyed cocktails and appetizers on our balcony overlooking the ocean. We had an excellent breakfast on the beach, just as I’d envisioned a few days ago in the previous blog. We went back to H2O for late night drinks. Hmmm… Seems to be a lot of drinking and eating going on. Of course, we’ve been walking quite a bit too so I don’t feel very bad about indulging more than usual. At least that’s my rationalization.
But really, we have been doing more than just looking for the next thing to put in our mouths. Like, for instance, we took a trip on the Jungle Queen. This was something I’d been wanting to do since forever and finally we found a good time. It really was fun and, once again, this deserves a later blog all to itself. But for now suffice it to say that, although I’ve lived here for 19 years, this modern day riverboat took me to areas of Fort Lauderdale I didn’t know existed. Gwendolyn and I also went for a lovely night swim on Monday evening, with a pale half moon encircled by a summery haze above us and a tranquil Atlantic just off to our east. That’s how it’s been up to now – one pleasant experience after another, all of them sort of blending together to make for a relaxing and entertaining “staycation.” We even saw a green sky, something I can’t recall noticing before. At about sunset, a distinctly green swath of clouds was mixed among a beautiful mosaic of colors and tones, from dark gray to pale rose. This was a pastel green that subtly sliced along a broad stretch of the horizon. We both thought it was remarkable. And the best part is, we still have four more sunsets to savor before our vacation is over.
Aug 7: Packing for Home
Posted On: August 7, 2008 11:04 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Ahh, this is one of the delicious parts of the experience. I’m in that right-before-vacation mode today. Isn’t that feeling just the best? You’re working and still have lots to do. But you’re thinking ahead to the approaching break from work. Part of you is already on the beach. Yep, in my mind I’m wearing flip-flops and a loose, cool tropical shirt that's flapping in the sea breeze. It’s late morning, as it is now as I write this. But instead of sitting at my desk, I’m walking along A1A near my beachfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale. I’m holding hands with my girlfriend and we’re looking for a place to catch a light breakfast along the ocean somewhere. I’m sure this breakfast would be excellent – if I were really there. But what’s most delicious is the fantasy itself.
In a couple days, the fantasy will be real. I’m doing one of those stay-at-home vacations. A “staycation,” as they say these days. One whole week on the gorgeous beach, in a hotel that looks out on the Atlantic Ocean. I haven’t seen our room yet but it’s a nice hotel and I’m hoping we might get a sea view.
Today and tomorrow, I’ll be working as usual. I’ve got a lot to do. And in some ways, I feel I have too much on my plate to go away at all. But that’s one of the great things about a staycation. Because I won’t be wasting time on planes, trains and automobiles. Ten minutes after leaving my condo, I’ll be pulling into the hotel. I also can scoot away to come home and get some work done, which I’m planning to do. I know. I can hear some of you thinking, “Hey just go away and relax!” Well, believe me, I will. Relaxing is something I do very well when on vacation. But I also have responsibilities and things I can’t dump for an entire week just now. My girlfriend is in the same situation with her work. So this is the compromise. Seven days away, mixed with three short days of some work. Not a bad bargain. Over the next few blogs, I’ll let you know how it goes. For the moment, I’ll keep plugging away at my pile of tasks on this busy day – and think now and then about the seaside breakfasts to come.
In a couple days, the fantasy will be real. I’m doing one of those stay-at-home vacations. A “staycation,” as they say these days. One whole week on the gorgeous beach, in a hotel that looks out on the Atlantic Ocean. I haven’t seen our room yet but it’s a nice hotel and I’m hoping we might get a sea view.
Today and tomorrow, I’ll be working as usual. I’ve got a lot to do. And in some ways, I feel I have too much on my plate to go away at all. But that’s one of the great things about a staycation. Because I won’t be wasting time on planes, trains and automobiles. Ten minutes after leaving my condo, I’ll be pulling into the hotel. I also can scoot away to come home and get some work done, which I’m planning to do. I know. I can hear some of you thinking, “Hey just go away and relax!” Well, believe me, I will. Relaxing is something I do very well when on vacation. But I also have responsibilities and things I can’t dump for an entire week just now. My girlfriend is in the same situation with her work. So this is the compromise. Seven days away, mixed with three short days of some work. Not a bad bargain. Over the next few blogs, I’ll let you know how it goes. For the moment, I’ll keep plugging away at my pile of tasks on this busy day – and think now and then about the seaside breakfasts to come.
Aug 5: Fat Funky Tuesday
Posted On: August 4, 2008 4:14 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Maybe it’s just me. Possibly I’ve missed it before. But I can’t recall being in a casino that was thoughtful enough to offer printed instructions on how to play Texas Hold ‘em. That is, until my casino experience on Friday night. I’m not kidding. At Mardi Gras Racetrack and Gaming Center in Hallandale, they gave out guides to playing poker for those who may not know. On the guide’s flip side there was even a very clear explanation about what-hand-beats-what-hand at the poker table. As in, four-of-a-kind takes a full house. That kind of thing. This should tell you something about Mardi Gras, which seems to me quite different from the other Broward racinos I’ve been visiting lately.
You may recall that I had decided it was time to check out these popular spots, called racinos because they’re each a combination race track and casino. I began with Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino, which is located very near Mardi Gras in Hallandale. Then I went with my girlfriend to The Isle Casino and Racing at Pompano Park. Each had its own style, with Gulfstream more traditional-looking to my eye and The Isle having a touch more Vegas to it. Both upscale, both fun.
On Friday night, I finally checked out Mardi Gras. This is definitely the working class racino, offering dog racing during the cooler months and 24-hour gambling all the time. It was sure drawing a crowd too, with cars jockeying for parking spaces by 8 p.m. and many poker tables full. The slots seemed the big attraction at Mardi Gras, from what I could tell. And there are slot machines everywhere around this casino. They even built a third-floor addition with slots facing windows that look out on the dog track. There’s a modest sit-down restaurant and also a couple of take-out food stands. It’s a funky place generally and pulls in a blue collar, mostly older crowd. My favorite part of Mardi Gras was a set of nine statues set up in a hallway – a Dixieland band. These guys stand nearly four-feet-tall and play all the traditional New Orleans jazz instruments, including a banjo. Very cool. But whether you’re looking for a place that offers remedial poker instructions or you’re a high roller looking to clean house, the racinos have got something for you. As I’ve said before, I’m really not a gambler. But hey, at least I know what poker hands beat a full house.
You may recall that I had decided it was time to check out these popular spots, called racinos because they’re each a combination race track and casino. I began with Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino, which is located very near Mardi Gras in Hallandale. Then I went with my girlfriend to The Isle Casino and Racing at Pompano Park. Each had its own style, with Gulfstream more traditional-looking to my eye and The Isle having a touch more Vegas to it. Both upscale, both fun.
On Friday night, I finally checked out Mardi Gras. This is definitely the working class racino, offering dog racing during the cooler months and 24-hour gambling all the time. It was sure drawing a crowd too, with cars jockeying for parking spaces by 8 p.m. and many poker tables full. The slots seemed the big attraction at Mardi Gras, from what I could tell. And there are slot machines everywhere around this casino. They even built a third-floor addition with slots facing windows that look out on the dog track. There’s a modest sit-down restaurant and also a couple of take-out food stands. It’s a funky place generally and pulls in a blue collar, mostly older crowd. My favorite part of Mardi Gras was a set of nine statues set up in a hallway – a Dixieland band. These guys stand nearly four-feet-tall and play all the traditional New Orleans jazz instruments, including a banjo. Very cool. But whether you’re looking for a place that offers remedial poker instructions or you’re a high roller looking to clean house, the racinos have got something for you. As I’ve said before, I’m really not a gambler. But hey, at least I know what poker hands beat a full house.
